The joint Ph.D. program in clinical-community psychology with
a rural indigenous emphasis is a partnership between the departments of
psychology at UAA and UAF. The program focus includes clinical, community and
cross-cultural psychology with an emphasis on indigenous, Alaska Native and
American Indian psychology. This UAF-UAA partnership integrates the strengths
and resources of both departments to advance academic excellence, promote
innovative and practical research, and provide solid graduate training in
clinical-community psychology. The program ensures that graduates have obtained
the full range of clinical training mandated for doctoral-level clinical
psychologists and will be adequately prepared for licensure as psychologists.
Accreditation for the program is being sought from the American Psychological
Association.

Minimum of a bachelor's degree (B.S. or B.A. or B.Ed.); major in
psychology or related field preferred.

Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.

Course work in the areas of abnormal psychology, statistics, research
methods and one of the following: personality, clinical psychology, social
psychology or community psychology.

Letter of intent describing the applicant's interest and purpose in
studying clinical-community psychology, the reasons why a Ph.D. in
clinical-community psychology at UAA/UAF is sought at this point in the
applicant's professional development, and demonstrating an understanding of
relevant professional ethics.

Professional vita, including documentation regarding academic, research
and professional experiences, special projects and activities, and recognitions
or honors.

Three professional references (preferably curriculum or research
advisors, major course instructors with whom the student had contact in more
than one course, and/or supervisors).

Lifetime criminal background check and disclosure statement (to be
completed upon notification and before final acceptance into the program).

Complete the general university requirements as outlined in the UAF
catalog.

Complete the Ph.D. degree requirements as outlined in the UAA/UAF
catalogs.

Complete the following as part of the Ph.D. program requirements:

Cultural Immersion: Before
beginning the first semester of formal enrollment in the program, students must
participate in a two-week cultural immersion experience at a rural/indigenous
site. This experience will be coordinated by the directors of clinical training
(DCTs) and will also be attended by at least one faculty member per campus who
teaches in the Ph.D. program. The experience is not graded but must be
completed before students are allowed to register for courses.

Clinical-Community Competency:
Students must demonstrate clinical-community competency before being allowed to
apply for internship. Clinical competency is demonstrated through preparation
of a clinical-community portfolio that will be evaluated by an ad hoc committee
consisting of four clinically trained faculty members (two per campus) who
teach in the doctoral program. Criteria for the portfolio will be clearly
defined and samples will be provided for students.

Research Competency: Students
must demonstrate research competency before being allowed to register for
dissertation credits. Research competency is demonstrated through preparation
of a research portfolio that will be evaluated by an ad hoc committee
consisting of four research-trained faculty members (two per campus) who teach
in the doctoral program. Criteria for the portfolio will be clearly defined and
samples will be provided for students.

Advancement to Candidacy:
Before students are allowed to register for dissertation credits, they will be
reviewed for performance by the joint UAA/UAF Ph.D. committee, using existing
university standards and forms for advancement to candidacy. Review will be
based on faculty experience with students to date, submitted paperwork and
student's progress through the program. Feedback from the review will be
provided to the student by her or his advisor. Students must have clearedresearch and
clinical-community competencies before being able to request advancement to
candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Defense:
Before commencing data collection for a dissertation project, students must
defend their proposal to their dissertation committee. The defense must be
based on a written dissertation proposal to be distributed to the dissertation
committee after approval by the dissertation chair. The defense will be an oral
presentation to the committee by the student and will not be a public meeting.
For data-collection-based dissertations, the proposal must also be approved by
the UAA or UAF Institutional Review Board before data collection can commence.

Doctoral Dissertation: A
doctoral dissertation must be carried out successfully and approved by a
doctoral dissertation committee. The dissertation committee will consist of at
least four members. It is recommended that the dissertation chair be on the
same campus as the student. There must be at least one committee member from
each psychology department at UAF and UAA. Content areas can vary widely, but
must be related to clinical, community, or cross-cultural issues and applicable
in Alaska settings.

Advancement to Internship:
Students must apply to the local director of clinical training (DCT) before
being permitted to apply for a predoctoral internship. DCTs will review the
students' course work, assure that all prior milestones have been mastered
(i.e., clinical-community competency, research competency, doctoral
dissertation defense and advancement to candidacy) before approving the student
for internship and before writing a letter of support for the student
(typically required by all approved internship sites).

Predoctoral Internship: A
full-time, one-year predoctoral internship is required. This internship should
meet the criteria laid out by the American Psychological Association; selection
of an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers-approved
internship is encouraged. Placements in Alaska are preferred, but not required.

Strict compliance with APA Ethical Guidelines is required throughout
participation in the degree program. Violations can result in immediate
dismissal from the program and failure to graduate. Completion of an annual
disclosure statement is also required. Affirmative answers may result in
dismissal from the program and failure to graduate. The disclosure statement
may be viewed at http://psyphd.alaska.edu.